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Older workers generally
report low levels of work-related stress, according to a University of Michigan
study of a nationally representative sample of older workers.
The study is based on 2006
data from 1,544 participants in the U-M Health and Retirement Study, conducted
by the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR).
By the year 2010, middle-aged
and older workers are expected to outnumber their younger colleagues, making
the physical and emotional well-being of older workers a growing concern for
U.S. employers.
For the analysis, ISR researcher
Gwenith Fisher, Quinnipiac University researcher Carrie Bulger and colleagues
examined the prevalence of different kinds of job stressors reported by participants
between the ages of 53 and 85. They also examined how those stressors relate
to workers' life satisfaction and physical health. All participants worked at
least 20 hours per week.
Slightly more than half
of the participants were male, 87 percent were Caucasian, about eight percent
were African American and seven percent were Hispanic. On average, they had
about 14 years of education.
"In general, older
workers did not report high levels of work-related stressors," said Fisher,
an organizational psychologist who is particularly interested in issues of work-life
balance.
Just over half agreed or
strongly agreed that they have competing demands being made on them at work,
and 47 percent agreed that time pressures are a source of job stress.
Only 19 percent of older
workers indicated that they have poor job security, however. "Given what
we know about the extent of age discrimination at work and the current economic
climate regarding unemployment, this is a surprisingly low number," said
Fisher.
Just 15 percent reported
that their work often or almost all the time interfered with their personal
lives and a scant 2 percent said their personal lives interfered with their
work.
"Many older workers
are empty-nesters," Fisher said. "They don't have the same work-personal
conflicts that younger and middle-aged workers deal with, juggling responsibilities
to children along with their jobs and their personal needs."
Results from the study also
indicated that workers who experience less job stress are more satisfied with
their life and are overall in better physical health compared with those who
report higher levels of job stressors.
For both younger and older
workers alike, time pressure has been increasing over the last two decades,
many studies have shown. "Technological advances like Blackberries, along
with out-sourcing and down-sizing, have all increased the amount of work and
pace at work," Fisher said. "But it's particularly important to look
at the effects this pressure may have on older workers, whose health may be
more vulnerable than that of younger workers."
At this time of year, time
pressure may be even greater because work loads may increase, Fisher said. "Year-end
goals need to be met at the same time as the holidays mean less time at work
and more personal errands and activities," she said.
For older and younger workers
facing work-related stress, Fisher recommended a few basic guidelines.
First, she advised, take
good care of yourself. "Get enough sleep," she said. "In the
short-term, you may be able to cut corners but in the long-term, cutting back
on sleep may compromise your immune system and you'll be more likely to get
sick." Also, be sure to get regular physical exercise. This can go a long
way toward helping your body handle stressors, and reduce strains like anxiety
and increase your energy level on the job.
Secondly, engage in active
time management, Fisher advised. Use strategies that work for you, like creating
a to-do list so you can keep track of tasks and set priorities. Establish clear
boundaries. "With all the technologies that blur the boundaries between
work and personal life, it's important to set aside some time that isn't available
for any work," she said.
This study was presented
in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.
Funding was provided by the National Institute on Aging.
From http://www.sciencedaily.com
Adapted from materials provided by University of Michigan.
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